Ambush Makeover gives busy mom of 3 a brand-new look

With three kids at home, Erika Rape doesn't have much time for a beauty routine. "I try to bathe daily," she joked on Thursday, after she was plucked from the plaza for an Ambush Makeover. "With three kids, it's hard to get that in sometimes!"

Makeover pros Jill Martin and Louis Licari gave this busy mom, who just turned 40, a brand-new look, which left her family cheering.

Today

Erika Rape before and after her Ambush Makeover

"Oh my God!" they exclaimed, when she emerged with soft, red waves, and clad in a lovely lacy dress.

"It's Christina Hendricks!" cried KLG.

"You DO look like Christina Hendricks!" Hoda agreed.

And what did her mom think? "I think she's gorgeous," she said, her eyes full of tears.Next up was Janie Rutman, who turned 65 today.

The birthday girl, who recently lost 20 pounds, was thrilled to get a new look to go with her new body. "I couldn't ask for anything better," she said before her makeover, already a little teary.

When she came out with a glam new haircut and soft, pretty makeup, she barely recognized herself. "Who is that?" she joked when she looked in the mirror.

Her husband Steve, who said Janie "deserves a birthday more than anybody," was blown away by his wife's transformation. "Wow!" he said. "We're going out tonight!"

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Photos

Peter Kramer

Ambush Makeover

See the best transformations on TODAY! Hairstylist Louis Licari and TODAY contributor Jill Martin give fans stunning makeovers from head to toe.

Ambush Makeover

Carol Bricker came to New York to celebrate her sister's birthday, but got a surprise of her own when she was selected for an Ambush Makeover.

Hairstylist Louis Licari went with a straight and lighter look for her hair while TODAY contributor Jill Martin put her in a black dress.

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Best friends celebrate 60th birthdays with Ambush Makeovers -

Debbie's friend Linda was also picked from the plaza. Linda said she hasn't colored her hair in three months and only wears foundation in the winter.

Licari went with a bold red look for her hair while Jill went with a stunning pink dress to match. "Whoa!" her friends screamed. "You look so beautiful."

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Mom loves her new look -

Debbie Triber was the first one Jill Martin and Louis Licari spotted on the plaza. She's married with two children and her beauty routine is typically minimal: Not much makeup and coloring a few grey hairs.

"I am a blonde!" she said, after seeing her new 'do. "Thank you!" All her friends loved it too.

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Frankie Kamp -

Frankie Kamp came to the TODAY plaza hoping to cross an item off her bucket list, and ended up getting even more than she bargained for.

Kamp, 75, from Kemah, Texas, was selected for a makeover when she was spotted on the plaza holding a sign that read "75 and ready to dye!" Ready she was.Her makeover made her look years younger, thanks to hairstylist Louis Licari's decision to shorten her hair and give it some color, while TODAY fashion contributor Jill Martin put her in a bold necklace to go along with her black and white dress.

"Are y'all sure that's me?" Kamp joked when she got a glimpse of her new look.

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Regina Loughridge -

Texas native Regina Loughridge may have had one of the show's best reactions when she saw what Licari and Martin had done for her. Licari went with a bold new look, cutting shorter bangs subtly lightening her hair, better framing her face. Loughridge was clearly happy with the result, unable to contain her excitement. "Now I'm the runway girl!" Loughridge said while striking some poses.

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Jennifer Cox -

Jennifer Cox from Frisco, Texas, is a 42-year-old mother of two boys and physical therapist who’s constantly caring for others, both at work and at home.Her husband, Kevin, was thrilled when his wife was chosen — but only because it’s something that would make Jennifer happy. “I think she looks great just the way she is,” He told TODAY’s Jill Martin. “But she wants to do this, so I’m excited for her.”

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Tara Green -

Tara Green, a mother of four who’s planning to start her first job since leaving the Army 15 years ago, was hoping a makeover would give her the new professional look she needs. “I’ve never worked in the workforce,” the 42-year-old from West Point, New York, told TODAY’s Jill Martin. “I need help.” Once she got a glimpse of her makeover in the mirror, it was clear her appearance was just the look she was hoping for. “I don’t recognize myself!” she exclaimed, happily.

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Beth Leach -

Beth Leach, a 47-year-old from Colleyville, Texas, bought along a hot pink poster asking to be chosen,. "I'm so excited I can't stand it!" Beth told TODAY. But her husband wasn't as anxious for his wife to get a new look. "I think she looks great already, but I know you guys do great work," he told Jill Martin. After emerging into the studio with a short, layered cut and a form-fitting black dress, Beth thought she resembled a whole new person — literally. "I look like my daughter!" she exclaimed. Beth's husband and son were both delighted by her new look, even though they thought she was beautiful to begin with.

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Ellen Oyama -

Ellen Oyama, 44, from Potomac Falls, Virginia, came to the Plaza already knowing she'd be selected. "She's been talking about getting an Ambush for quite some time," her friend Mary told TODAY's Jill Martin. Ellen, who says she hasn't "done her hair in years," was only too thrilled that it was finally happening. After seeing herself with a new, flattering cut and color and a pretty floral dress, she couldn't but help exclaim, "Oh my God!" at her new appearance.

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Christine Banks -

A mother of three who wanted a new look to boost her confidence. She was very excited for the opportunity to get glammed up.

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Misty Arnold -

Hairstylist to the stars Louis Licari and TODAY contributor Jill Martin glam up two friends from Alabama on March 27, 2014, who stopped by the plaza. Misty lost her mother exactly a year before and appreciated the beautiful makeover in her mom’s honor.

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Julie Harris -

Julie Harris called her before look "boring." She got a makeover with her friend, Misty Arnold, from Alabama.

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Lucy Sharest -

Judy is a postal worker who wrote a poem that worked to help her get her makeover.

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Judy Usher -

Springfield, Mass., native Judy Usher came to New York on her 70th birthday in hopes of getting a makeover. "I watch the show all the time and looked forward in coming down for the big dream of the makeover," she said.

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Kim Robinette -

When asked if she wanted a makeover Robinette just removed her hat. "I want a more professional look," Robinette said about what type of makeover she wanted.

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Flavia Bader -

Flavia Bader, 41, of St. Louis, hasn't worn make-up since her wedding, 15 years ago. "I'm a little nervous," Bader said before she had her makeover.

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Julie Blackson -

"I'm not asking for a lot, just make me hot, because I am cold," read Julie Blackson's sign which helped get her picked for ambush.

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Alice Walker -

Alice Walker cried into Hoda Kotb's arms after she received a truly inspiring makeover. She had lost her luggage during her trip to New York, and was so excited after seeing her makeover that she broke out into tears.